Joining the all-star line-up for the 34th annual broadcast of PBS’ A CAPITOL FOURTH, live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, are platinum recording artist and songwriter Phillip Phillips and the world-famous Muppets. Phillips will perform his hit single “Raging Fire” from his sophomore album Behind The Light that debuted in the Billboard Hot 100 upon its March release. And, as a special treat for the entire family, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – stars of the recent release of “Muppets Most Wanted” – will be on hand to celebrate America’s 238th birthday, and performing the Oscar-nominated song “Rainbow Connection” with the National Symphony Orchestra.
“I love Washington D.C. Not only was it built on a swamp, but this is where I got my start in show business – on a local TV show in 1955,” said Kermit the Frog. “Being in D.C. is like coming home!”
“Moi is thrilled to be part of this glorious patriotic celebration,” adds Miss Piggy, who insists she’s ready for all the pomp and pageantry. “Let’s face it, wherever I go there’s usually fireworks.”
A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Friday, July 4, 2014 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live over NPR member stations nationwide.
Behind The Light is Phillips’ follow-up to 2012’s The World from the Side of the Moon (a platinum plus-selling album) that debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and featured the 5x platinum smash hit “Home.” Throughout the last year, the 23-year-old Georgia native has toured the U.S. and the world, joining Matchbox Twenty and John Mayer on tour and sharing a stage with Bruce Springsteen at the 2013 Rock in Rio festival. The American Idol season 11 winner is currently co-headlining a summer tour with O.A.R.
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the Muppets are the stars of the recent motion picture, Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted,” as well as international stars of television, movies and music. Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted,” will be available for purchase on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, DVD, Disney Movies Anywhere, and On-Demand on August 12th, 2014.
Hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS), A CAPITOL FOURTH will also feature performances by: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frankie Valli; Grammy Award-winning music legend Patti LaBelle; multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks; five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael McDonald; country music superstar Sara Evans; singer-songwriter Kendall Schmidt from BIG TIME RUSH and HEFFRON DRIVE; and five-time Tony Award nominee and Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. And, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of our national anthem, five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams will conduct his special new arrangement for orchestra and chorus of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
